Due to temperature constraints, the creation of ice sculptures and snowscapes in the Ice City has not yet begun this year, but nearly all well-known designers and makers in the “industry” are facing tempting offers. Surrounding cities are actively recruiting with high salaries, especially targeting “veterans” capable of recreating Harbin’s classic ice and snow landscapes.
A month ago, someone from a provincial capital in Northeast China came to recruit ice landscape creators, and since then, a steady stream of nearby cities have been offering lucrative deals, all aiming for teams experienced in ice and snow design and production, as well as those with “hands-on experience.” Some are even specifically seeking individuals who have worked on iconic landscapes, with the goal of transplanting and reconstructing these classics elsewhere.
Master Zhang, who has been making ice lanterns for over 30 years, has now become a “contractor” for ice and snow landscape production. When other scenic areas need workers, they often turn to him to “assemble a team.” Master Zhang says that skilled ice and snow landscape makers currently earn about 600–700 yuan a day locally, while scenic spots in Xinjiang offer at least an additional 200 yuan per day. For creating ice and snow structures like towers and buildings, all that’s needed is a blueprint or photo along with the dimensions, and the experts can build them.
According to reports, as the birthplace of China’s ice and snow art, Harbin has long faced a shortage of design and production talent. In October 2006, China’s first ice and snow art skills training class was launched here, marking the beginning of skill training and certification in this field. Harbin’s ice and snow art standards have since become industry benchmarks. The city’s renowned ice and snow sculptors and their apprentices have established a brand for Harbin’s ice and snow art, which has also drawn envy from other cities.
A person in charge of the Ice Lantern Garden Party explained that, due to the brand influence of being the birthplace of Chinese ice lanterns, the design and production teams have remained relatively stable, but there is still a shortage of ice landscape professionals. This year, the Sun Island Snow Expo will introduce many innovations and is also fostering “highly loyal cooperative teams.” The official noted that although classic works from the Sun Island Snow Expo have been repeatedly replicated elsewhere, they have not posed a major threat.